Six UK immigration officers have been charged with money laundering offences following an investigation into alleged thefts from migrants, authorities have confirmed.
The Crown Prosecution Service said on Tuesday that five of the officers also face charges including conspiracy to steal and misconduct in public office. All six individuals have been charged in connection with money laundering offences.
Besmir Matera, 36, Lee-Ann Evanson, 42, John Bernthal, 53, Ben Edwardes, 45, Jack Mitchell, 33, and David Grundy, 43, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 29 January.
The charges stem from a Home Office investigation into alleged thefts from migrants and money laundering activities that reportedly took place between August 2021 and November 2022, according to the CPS.
Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said the decision to bring charges followed a detailed review of the evidence gathered during the investigation.
“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings. We have worked closely with the Home Office’s anti-corruption criminal investigations unit as they carried out their investigation,” McHaffie said.
Matera, from Reigate in Surrey, is facing multiple charges including conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, money laundering offences, obtaining leave to enter or remain in the UK by deception, and three counts of possessing an identity document with improper intention.
Evanson, from Bracknell in Berkshire, Bernthal from Welling in south-east London, Edwardes from Bexleyheath in south-east London, and Mitchell from Dover in Kent are each charged with conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office and money laundering-related offences.
Grundy, from Croydon in south London, has been charged with concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.
The case raises serious concerns about corruption within the UK immigration system and comes amid increased scrutiny of public officials accused of abusing their positions.
